The Slider wrote:So currently in Australia, like many places around the world, the focus is on "budget cuts". Obviously generating a lot of debate/hysteria.

So if you were in control of your country's budget, what area would you cut and why?

Social welfare, only because it is or will be the main driver of deficit spending in the future. Even with defence spending these days, the money is going towards personnel costs. It's easy for government elites to spend money on the voters. That needs to change.

SOLDIERofficer81 wrote:Social welfare, only because it is or will be the main driver of deficit spending in the future. Even with defence spending these days, the money is going towards personnel costs. It's easy for government elites to spend money on the voters. That needs to change.

This, absolutely.

Since October 3rd, 2000 | "Quite a thing to live in fear, isn't it? That's what it is to be a slave."

Social Welfare is a complex system. Obviously there are direct payments for certain groups, for example, single parents, that could be cut or removed. However, there is also a large number of less direct payments such as discounts for public transport for pensioners. Just wondering if you would target one aspect of social welfare more than others, or particular groups etc?

The Slider wrote:Social Welfare is a complex system. Obviously there are direct payments for certain groups, for example, single parents, that could be cut or removed. However, there is also a large number of less direct payments such as discounts for public transport for pensioners. Just wondering if you would target one aspect of social welfare more than others, or particular groups etc?

Medicare in the US, NHS in the UK, whatever. The concept is inherently flawed. By subsidizing healthcare for people, the Government is just driving up demand for a limited supply, which naturally drives up costs, waiting times, etc... even more. Instead of increasing demand, the Government should be spending its cash on increasing supply. That seems a lot healthier to me.